Zpravodaj Hnědé uhlí 2010, 50(4)
Conveyer belt rubber layers aging
- 1 UK v Praze, Matematicko-fyzikální fakulta, Katedra makromolekulární fyziky
- 2 VVV MOST spol. s r.o, Most
The objective of the paper is to assess possible use of the dynamic mechanical spectroscopy for determination and prediction of life time of conveyor belt rubber layers. During long-lasting operation, conveyor belt rubber layers undergo changes of their physical properties, especially changes of network (crosslink) density, glass transition temperature, equilibrium modulus, and elongation-to-break. These changes, called aging, originate in air oxygen activity, UV radiation, and temperature fluctuations. Mechanical measurements of real and imaginary part of complex Young's modulus proceeded in the temperature region from temperatures corresponding to the glassy state of belts (low temperatures) up to the rubbery region (high temperatures). To characterize the air aging of rubbers, we have collected samples of belts having been used for different periods of time as well as samples of new belts. Aging of new belt samples in an oven was studied for different times and temperatures. The results of measurements were compared with each other. It was shown that the used method will be, after having built a broad data basis of mechanical properties of conveyor belts used in the belt industry, useful tool for monitoring their life time.
Keywords: conveyor belts, rubber aging
Published: December 1, 2010 Show citation